Non-classical imaging

Abstract

Intensity values of electromagnetic radiation from an object to be imaged are received from an array of detectors. The array of detectors includes one or more pairs of detectors arranged as antisymmetric pairs of detectors. A Fourier transform of an image of the object is determined by correlating fluctuations of the intensity values for each antisymmetric pair of detectors. An inverse of the Fourier transform is determined, and an image of the object is generated from the inverse Fourier transform. The Fourier transform of the mean intensity pattern across the array of detectors may also be used to determine when the array is properly oriented to separate the image and mirror image.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 receiving, from an array of detectors, intensity values of electromagnetic radiation for an object to be imaged, wherein the array of detectors comprises one or more pairs of detectors arranged as antisymmetric pairs of detectors; 
 determining a Fourier transform of an image of the object by correlating fluctuations of the intensity values for each antisymmetric pair of detectors; 
 determining an inverse of the Fourier transform; and 
 generating the image of the object from the inverse of the Fourier transform. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the array of detectors comprises a plurality of detectors arranged about a midpoint, and wherein a first detector of each antisymmetric pair of detectors is arranged at a location corresponding to the location of a second detector of each antisymmetric pair of detectors reflected through the midpoint of the array of detectors. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein each detector of the array of detectors comprises a single photon detector. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein each detector of the array of detectors comprises a parabolic mirror and a photomultiplier tube. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein correlating the fluctuations of the intensity values comprises determining combined intensity fluctuations for each antisymmetric pair of detectors, and correlating the combined intensity fluctuations with an intensity fluctuation for one detector of the antisymmetric pair of detectors. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein correlating the fluctuations of the intensity values comprises:
 calculating a combined mean intensity of each antisymmetric pair of detectors; 
 calculating a fluctuation from the combined mean intensity for each antisymmetric pair of detectors; 
 calculating a mean intensity of a first detector of each antisymmetric pair of detectors; 
 calculating a fluctuation from the mean intensity of the first detector; and 
 correlating the fluctuation from the combined mean intensity for each antisymmetric pair of detectors with the fluctuation from the mean intensity of the first detector of each antisymmetric pair of detectors. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the Fourier transform of the image of the object by correlating fluctuations of the intensity values for each antisymmetric pair of detectors comprises determining the Fourier transform for all antisymmetric pairs of detectors in the array of detectors. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation is received via reflection from the object to be imaged. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 calculating a Fourier transform of an average intensity pattern across the array of detectors; and 
 offsetting the array of detectors from a line-of-sight of the object based upon the Fourier transform of the average intensity pattern across the array of detectors. 
 
     
     
       10. An apparatus comprising:
 an array of detectors comprising one or more pairs of detectors arranged as antisymmetric pairs of detectors; 
 an interface; and 
 a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: 
 receive, via the interface from the array of detectors, intensity values of electromagnetic radiation for an object to be imaged; 
 determine a Fourier transform of an image of the object by correlating fluctuations of the intensity values for each antisymmetric pair of detectors; 
 determine an inverse of the Fourier transform; and 
 generate the image of the object from the inverse of the Fourier transform. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the array of detectors is configured to move such that a center point of the array of detectors is offset from a line of sight of the object to be imaged. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to correlate the fluctuations of the intensity values by:
 calculating a combined mean intensity of each antisymmetric pair of detectors; 
 calculating a fluctuation from the combined mean intensity for each antisymmetric pair of detectors; 
 calculating a mean intensity of a first detector of each antisymmetric pair of detectors; 
 calculating a fluctuation from the mean intensity of the first detector; and 
 correlating the fluctuation from the combined mean intensity for each antisymmetric pair of detectors with the fluctuation from the mean intensity of the first detector of each antisymmetric pair of detectors. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein each detector of the array of detectors comprises a parabolic mirror and a photomultiplier tube. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the array of detectors comprises a plurality of detectors arranged about a midpoint, and wherein a first detector of each antisymmetric pair of detectors is arranged at a location corresponding to the location of a second detector of each antisymmetric pair of detectors reflected through the midpoint of the array of detectors. 
     
     
       15. A tangible, non-transitory computer readable media encoded with instructions, wherein the instruction, when executed by a processor, are operable to:
 receive, from an array of detectors, intensity values of electromagnetic radiation for an object to be imaged, wherein the array of detectors comprises one or more pairs of detectors arranged as antisymmetric pairs of detectors; 
 determine a Fourier transform of an image of the object by correlating fluctuations of the intensity values for each antisymmetric pair of detectors; 
 determine an inverse of the Fourier transform; and 
 generate the image of the object from the inverse of the Fourier transform. 
 
     
     
       16. The tangible, non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions are further operable to correlate the fluctuations of the intensity values by:
 calculating a combined mean intensity of each antisymmetric pair of detectors; 
 calculating a fluctuation from the combined mean intensity for each antisymmetric pair of detectors; 
 calculating a mean intensity of a first detector of each antisymmetric pair of detectors; 
 calculating a fluctuation from the mean intensity of the first detector; and 
 correlating the fluctuation from the combined mean intensity for each antisymmetric pair of detectors with the fluctuation from the mean intensity of the first detector of each antisymmetric pair of detectors. 
 
     
     
       17. The tangible, non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the array of detectors comprises a plurality of detectors arranged about a midpoint, and wherein a first detector of each antisymmetric pair of detectors is arranged at a location corresponding to the location of a second detector of each antisymmetric pair of detectors reflected through the midpoint of the array of detectors. 
     
     
       18. The tangible, non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions operable to determine the Fourier transform of the image of the object by correlating the fluctuations of the intensity values for each antisymmetric pair of detectors are further operable to determine the Fourier transform for all antisymmetric pairs of detectors in the array of detectors. 
     
     
       19. The tangible, non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation is received via reflection from the object to be imaged. 
     
     
       20. The tangible, non-transitory computer readable media of  claim 15 , wherein each detector of the array of detectors comprises a parabolic mirror and a photomultiplier tube.